Gingival (Gum) Grafting
Meaning Of Gum Grafting
The gum’s tissues recede for many reasons and, when not treated, could eventually lead to the loss of the tooth. Gum grafting is the best solution for receding gum tissue.
It is a surgical procedure performed by a periodontist
The healthy gums are extracted from the roof of the mouth and placed in the receded gum area, which helps rebuild the healthy gums in that space.
In gum recession, the tooth roots are exposed and cause sensitivity toward heat and cold foods. Gum grafting is used as damage repair treatment, and many undergo it as a cosmetic procedure to have a more confident and appealing smile.
Advantages Of Gum Grafting
- Lowers the occurrence of gum diseases
- can reduce cavities attacks can be reduced
- Teeth sensitivity towards hot and cold foods is reduced
- Enhances the appearance with a stunning smile
Why Is Gum Grafting Needed?
- Teeth grinding
- Scurvy
- Tobacco consumption
- Gum diseases
- Aggressive brushing
- Fragile or thin gum tissue that c be due to hereditary
- Movement of teeth due to orthodontic procedures
- Insufficient brushing and flossing lead to bacterial and fungal formations that eat away the tooth bone.
- Usage of more commercial kinds of toothpaste with a high content of detergents that are harmful to the sensitivity of the gums.
- A tooth position is abnormal and leads to tooth crowding, affecting the jawbone.
Symptoms Indicating the Need for Gum Grafting
- Teeth sensitivity toward hot, cold, and sour foods
- The teeth look longer than their normal length. It is a symptom of gum receding.
- The tooth roots are exposed to visibility
- Uneven tooth
- The color of the tooth is changed
- The gum receding leads to the appearance of the teeth gaps getting larger
- The cavities formation under the gumline
Gingival (Gum) Grafting Procedure
The gum grafting procedure involves taking the gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and shifting it to the receding gum area. Generally, it takes an hour to complete a single gum grafting. If there are multiple grafts, it takes a bit longer time
The procedure of gum grafting involves the following steps:
Inducing Local Anesthesia: The dentist will numb teeth and gums during this process. Other sedation options such as oral sedation, nitrous oxide, and IV sedation are also available with the periodontist for the patient’s comfort.
The Gum Site Is Cleaned: Once the patient is comfortable, an incision is made and opens the gums in flaps. The teeth roots are also thoroughly cleaned.
The Gum Graft Harvesting: A tiny incision is made on the roof of the mouth to remove a layer of tissue for the gum grafting. The opened roof site is closed again with sutures. If the gum tissue is taken from a licensed bone and tissue bank, there will be no need for incisions in the roof of the mouth.
Placement of the Gum Graft: The new gum tissue is placed in the gum recession area.
Sutures: The placement of the gum tissues is completed by stitching the opened gum recession area. The sutures can either be removable or dissolvable.
Is Gum Grafting Procedure Painful?
The surgical procedure will be painless since there is an inducing of anesthesia that numbs the mouth. Post-procedure there can be mild soreness, but the expert periodontist at Highline Dental Practices will give the medications to reduce the discomfort and give important instructions to follow post-surgical procedures.
Types of Gum Grafting
The gum health restoration with gum grafting procedure will be decided after a complete assessment by the periodontists’ team. There are types of gum grafting that you can choose depending on the individual needs. Here are the gum grafting options:
Allograft
It is one of the most commonly used techniques in gum grafting. In this technique, an artificial gum tissue graft is generated and placed in the gum recession area. This artificial graft will enable the gums to repair themselves, leading to the growth of new tissues and cells and regenerating the right structure of gums since the stem cells are also extracted from the bone marrow.
It leads to a new gum structure that maintains functionality and elasticity like natural healthy tissue. The artificial tissue graft placed before will dissolve into the newly generated tissue structure and enhance its performance.
Connective Tissue Graft
In this surgical technique, a tiny flap of the tissue is cut from the roof of the mouth. The tissue taken from the roof of the mouth is called subepithelial connective tissue; later, the extracted area is covered again with sutures.
Medical Graft
In this surgical grafting method, the nearest gums from the affected area are extracted for gum grafting. A flap of the healthy gum tissue is extracted, pulled to the affected site, and stitched to the affected gum area. One part of the healthy gum graft flap remains attached to its original gum site.
Free Gingival Graft
In this procedure, the gum graft is removed from the roof of the mouth but not in the form of a flap. The part of the tissue is directly extracted and placed in the exposed tooth root area. This technique can be implemented when the gum tissue is very thin, making it easy for the gum builds up in the receding area.
Recovery Process for Gum Grafting
The recovery process for gum grafting is usually 15-20 days, and following some of the instructions post-surgery is important for quick recovery. Let’s have a look at some of the instructions:
- Avoid brushing and flossing in the area that is being treated until the healing process is completed.
- Use a special mouthwash that will help keep the plaque formation away.
- Reduce the risk of infection by taking properly prescribed medications without skipping them.
- Avoid hard and hot foods during the healing period. Consume only soft foods.
- There can be discomfort and pain post the surgical procedure, but the prescribed medications contain anti-inflammatory properties too that will erase the pain in a few days.
- Returning to work is possible in just a day or two post-gum graftings.
Gum Grafting is the best available treatment for gum-receding issues. The procedure and healing process also happen quickly, making it an undeniable option.
Do you have any queries about the treatment procedures, insurance coverage, or the cost of the gum grafting treatment? Contact Highline Dental Practices to book an appointment with us.
FAQ
1. When is it too late for gum grafting?
Gum grafting may not be able to preserve the gums in some circumstances. Gum grafting might not be able to repair your gums if they are highly diseased, retreating so far back that they expose the tooth’s root, or if there has been considerable bone loss due to advanced gum disease.
2. Is gum grafting painful?
Gum transplant surgery will leave you completely numb, so you won’t feel a thing. After your treatment, you’ll likely have some slight soreness; however, your periodontist will provide you with post-surgical instructions and prescription drugs to help you manage your pain.
3. What to eat after gum graft?
For the first several days following gum grafting, a liquid diet is advised in terms of eating regularly. We advise sticking to cold foods and drinks on the day before surgery, such as pudding, yogurt, shakes, or ice cream. For a few days, refrain from using a straw and avoid consuming any acidic beverages like sodas.
4. Does gum grafting look natural?
Your new gum graft will be a natural pink hue and appear so natural that the majority of our patients can’t even identify which teeth were treated and which weren’t thanks to the “tunneling” gum graft approach’s least invasive nature.
5. How long does a gum graft take to heal?
Gum grafting provides thickness to your gum line and covers exposed tooth roots, enhancing your dental health as a whole. The average time for recovery is one to two weeks, although it might take longer. Gum grafting has a high probability of being successful and can lower your chance of developing serious gum disease.